Cape Verde Explorer

On this short tour we visit three islands of the Cape Verde archipelago, brimming with rich culture, customs and history, and still firmly connected to their African roots. Discovering traditional villages, travelling through rugged mountain scenery and exploring cities on foot we uncover some of the most enchanting parts of this unusual island nation.

Starting in Praia, Santiago, we fly to Sao Vicente and explore the city of Mindelo, rich with the rhythms of Cape Verde and a good place to absorb the country’s unique atmosphere. From here we take the ferry across to neighbouring Santo Antão, dotted with imposing peaks, and with pretty valleys and rural villages to explore. Finally, we return to Santiago, taking time to wander through the capital city, Praia and the historic site of Cidade Velha, dating back to the 15th century and the first days of Portuguese colonisation.

 The islands boast lush greenery and breathtaking landscapes, with stunning viewpoints offering great views over the archipelago. Each has a slightly different feel, giving an overview of the different layers and complexities of this most far-flung part of the African continent.

Highlights

  • Visit the colourful and vibrant Porto Novo
  • Climb Monte Verde for spectacular views over the islands
  • Explore the capital city Praia
  • Wander through the bustling market of Sucupira

Day 1 - Santiago

Arrive in Santiago and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore. Overnight Praiamar Hotel or similar.

Santiago
In the first days of colonisation, Santiago made up the entire Portuguese territory of Cape Verde, until other islands were ‘added’, and it was the first island to be settled. The settlers began their business resupplying ships with resources and soon developed into trading slaves. Santiago is the largest of the islands of Cape Verde with two mountain ranges and a highest peak of 1393 metres. The island has impressive elevated plains which many of Praia’s districts were built on.

Day 2 - Sao Vicente - Mindelo - Porto Novo

Fly to the island of Sao Vicente. On arrival, we explore the charming city of Mindelo, walking along the Baia de Porto Grande, visiting its fresh fish markets, African markets and other sites. Head to Porto-Novo where we stay for the night. Overnight Foya Branca Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Sao Vicente
Sao Vicente was little utilised before the 18th century, with plans to populate the island only leaving an abundance of goats and a few settlers on Mount Vicente. Nowadays, the island is bustling with people, with a population of around 80,000. The harbour is a sweeping curve formed by a crater rim from a meteor strike, creating a wall of rock protecting the north east of the harbour from ocean winds from almost any direction. Like Santiago, the island of Sao Vicente became a place of refuelling for ships, thanks to John Lewis who brought coal with him to help ships that passed through.

Day 3 - Santo Antão

Head to the port of Sao Vicente and board a ferry to the island of Santo Antão. On arrival we climb Pico da Cruz and walk up to the ranger’s house to be rewarded with views of the surrounding landscapes as well as the nearby islands of Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia and São Nicolau. We then continue to Ponta do Sol, visiting a fishing port and old colonial houses and then drive to Porto Novo along an impressive coastal route. Overnight Santantão Art Resort or similar. (BLD)

Santo Antão
Santo Antão is characterised by rugged peaks and canyons which offer spectacular views of this impressive landscape. The island remained without a population for ninety years after its discovery but is now filled with old colonial homes plastered into the walls of the ever-impressive mountains and scenery. Santo Antão was given ownership to the son of Count of Santa Cruz, who eventually loaned it to the English in 1732, who were quickly pushed out by the Portuguese. Santo Antão is the second largest island in Cape Verde, with the second tallest peak in the nation, the mountain of Topo da Coroa, standing at 1979m.

Day 4 - Vale de Paul

Today we take the coastal route to Paul, stopping at the lush Vale de Paul on the way. Here we explore the heart of the valley, dotted with simple thatched and stone houses alongside cultivated terraces, and see some of the traditions of rural Cape Verde. After a typical Cape Verdean lunch, return to Porto Novo for the night. Overnight Santantão Art Resort or similar. (BLD)


Day 5 - Sao Vicente

Take a ferry back to Sao Vicente. We spend the day exploring the island, visiting Calhau,  the small fishing village of Salamansa, and Monte Verde, which has superb views over Mindelo and neighbouring islands. We continue to Mindelo for the night, with views of Monte Cara on the way. Overnight Foya Branca Hotel or similar. (BLD)


Day 6 - Santiago

Fly to the island of Santiago. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore. Overnight Praiamar Hotel or similar. (BLD)


Day 7 - Praia - Cidade Velha

Start today by exploring Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. Here we visit the historic sites of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graca, Alexandre Albuquerque Square and more. After lunch, we visit the UNESCO listed site of Cidade Velha, the earliest settlement of the Portuguese dating to the 15th century, where we can see the remains of the original fort, the pillory where slaves were once traded and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario. Overnight Praiamar Hotel or similar. (BLD)


Day 8 - Tarrafal

Today we explore the island of Santiago further, travelling through the mountains with their unusual flora and endemic vegetation. We continue to the small fishing port of Tarrafal, known for its old political prison built by the Portuguese fascist regime in the 1930’s. In the afternoon we return to Praia for the night. Overnight Praiamar Hotel or similar. (BLD)


Day 9 - Praia

In the morning we visit the vibrant market of Sucupira, a great place to see typical Cape Verdean life, and the typical colours and rhythms of the country – still with a distinctly African atmosphere. Return to the hotel in Praia with the afternoon free to explore the city at your leisure. Overnight Praiamar Hotel or similar. (BLD)


Day 10 - Santiago

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)


What's included?

  • Airport transfers

    We include arrival and departure transfers regardless of whether you book flights yourself, or we book them for you. If you’re booking them yourself, then please let us know the details so that we can arrange the transfers. Please note though that if you arrive earlier than Day 1 of the tour, and leave after the final day, we may need to make an additional charge for an airport transfer.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation as listed in the dossier. The nature of the destinations that we operate may sometimes mean that we need to change hotels, but we’ll always endeavour to keep the same standards. Please be aware that as we operate in many countries where tourism is in its infancy, hotel standards may not be the same as you’re used to elsewhere.
    Please note that while we prefer to use centrally located hotels where possible, this is not always practical and in some locations they may not be the best option in terms of standards or reliability.

  • Guides

    On this trip you will be accompanied by different English speaking guides throughout the trip.

  • Meals

    As listed within the itinerary / dossier (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner). These will vary from trip to trip – in some areas it makes sense to include all meals while in others there is a good choice of restaurants and we feel people might like to ‘do their own thing’ now and again.

    Please note that when meals are included, sometimes these will be in hotels, as often these are the most appropriate option, and will sometimes be set menus. Local restaurants are often lacking in variety, as well as the capacity to cater for groups. Drinks are not included and are at your own expense.

  • Entrance fees

    Entrance fees are listed for those sites that we mention within the itinerary. If there are any other sites that you’d like to see, these would be at your own expense.

What's not included?

  • Visas

    We don’t arrange visas for our travellers, but if an invitation letter is necessary then we will arrange this for you. If you need any advice with visas then just give us a call, or alternatively a visa agency such as Travcour (
    ) can assist.

  • Airport taxes

    If there are any departure taxes to pay that are not included within the cost of your ticket, you’ll need to pay these yourself.

  • International flights

    Many of our travellers arrive from different destinations and so we don’t include international flights in the cost of our tours. If however you would like us to book flights for you, then just give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.

  • Travel insurance

    If you need any assistance with this, then let us know – although we can’t arrange it ourselves we can point you in the direction of a reputable provider that can assist.

Visas

Most nationalities, including UK and US travellers, do not require a visa to enter Cape Verde for stays of less than 30 days.

Visa regulations can change however and so we recommend that you contact your nearest embassy for the most up to date information.

Healthcare and vaccinations:

We are not medically qualified and so we recommend that you speak to your doctor or nearest health professional for advice concerning recommended vaccinations. For more advice on vaccinations, you can also visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. However, it is advised that you have Hepatitis B and Tetanus vaccinations to visit Cape Verde.

Insurance

It is a condition of joining our tours that you have suitable travel insurance in place, and we cannot accept travellers without insurance. All policies differ in terms of what they will cover, but as a minimum you need medical and health cover which will cover you for the whole time that you are away. Most policies will also include cancellation cover, which will cover you if an unforeseen circumstance obliges you to cancel your trip. We recommend that you obtain your insurance as soon as you book your trip.

Please note that government travel warnings often affect the validity of your travel insurance, and you should check this with your insurance company.

Money

The official currency of Cape Verde is the Cape Verdean Escudo, a closed currency which you are only able to obtain in the country. Euros are the best currency to bring for exchange purposes. Changing money is fairly simple – many hotels will offer this service and there are also banks and exchange bureaus in larger towns. Your guide will be able to advise of the best option. In the capital cities there are also ATMs which accept foreign cards, although don’t count on these always working. Credit cards are not used as widely here as they are in some other countries, so you should only think of this as a back up rather than the main source of obtaining money.

 

Travel advice

We keep a very close eye on the travel advice issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office so that we can keep you up to date with any warnings. At the time of writing the FCO does not advise against travel to any parts of Cape Verde.

This relates to advice from the British government – other nationalities need to check the stance of their own governments.

Date(s)
Price (PP) Exc. Flights
Single Supplement
Trip Status
Date -
23 November 2025
Price (PP) -
£2,649
Single Supplement -
£240
Trip Status -
Available
Date -
22 February 2026
Price (PP) -
£2,749
Single Supplement -
£260
Trip Status -
Available
Date -
22 November 2026
Price (PP) -
£2,749
Single Supplement -
£260
Trip Status -
Available